Origin

Andrew Franklin

In the aftermath of the Infinite Crisis, the U.S. government agency called S.H.A.D.E., led by Father Time, took control of the destroyed city of Blüdhaven. One of their discoveries was Andy Franklin. Franklin was a timid scientist working in Blüdhaven when the city was destroyed by the nuclear explosion from Chemo. While his colleagues were disintegrated around him, Franklin was transformed into a “human bomb.” S.H.A.D.E. discovered a fibra-wax fluid capable of suppressing Franklin’s explosive powers, and kept him inside the liquid-filled suspension chamber for over a year.

This Human Bomb and his teammates in the new Freedom Fighters would star in two 8-issue maxiseries (also by Palmiotti and Gray) called Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, released in 2006 and 2007. The new Freedom Fighters would guest star in a couple of series before Palmiotti and Gray would launch an ongoing series, Freedom Fighters, in 2010.

Major Story Arcs

Post-Infinite Crisis / New Earth:

The New Freedom Fighters

Freedom Fighters

When Father Time sent the agents of S.H.A.D.E. after Uncle Sam, Human Bomb turned on the team. Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, Doll Man, and the new Ray sided with Uncle Sam and Firebrand to become the new Freedom Fighters. The group focused on removing Father Time from power. The new Freedom Fighters faced a new Miss America and a traitor from the inside: the Ray. However, with the help of the original Miss America, Ray Terrill, and new members Black Condor, the Invisible Hood and Red Bee, the Freedom Fighters defeated Father Time, and S.H.A.D.E. was placed under the command of Director Robbins.

After the Human Bomb and the Freedom Fighters stopped an alien bee hive from using Earth as its next home, the team returned home to find the White House destroyed by the Amazons. When approached by S.H.A.D.E. about being more pro-active, the team split on whether they agreed. Human Bomb joins Uncle Sam, Firebrand, Doll Man, and Miss America in deciding not to proactively defend America’s shores. The heroes eventually convince the rest of the Freedom Fighters to see it their way. However, unknown to the team, the Red Bee was infected by the alien hive.

The Red Bee used her pheromones to take control of the Freedom Fighters, but Black Condor fought the Red Bee’s control. While under pheromone control, the Red Bee made love to Franklin in his fibra-wax containment canister, bonding him to her control. When the Red Bee ordered Human Bomb to kill Condor, however, the Human Bomb broke free of her commands, and freed the others. The Freedom Fighters stopped the Red Bee and her hive with the appearance of the Ray, the new Neon, and new Miss Cosmos, and in the aftermath, the Freedom Fighters disbanded.

Final Crisis

While disbanded, the individual members of the Freedom Fighters continued to fight for good. Human Bomb joined the heroes of Earth to fight against Darkseid’s troops during the Final Crisis.

Human Bomb rejoins The Freedom Fighters

The American Artifacts

After saving Earth from both a potential asteroid collision and against the alien entity Plasmodia, Uncle Sam recruited the Human Bomb to rejoin the Freedom Fighters. The Vice President of the U.S. had been kidnapped by a secret society called the Arcadians and held for ransom. The Freedom Fighters needed to find American artifacts across the country in return for the Vice President’s life. Over the course of the search, the Human Bomb and the Freedom Fighters fought the Renegades and the Jailbreakers.

Powers & Abilities

Explosions Skin

Explosions

Like his predecessor, the second Human Bomb could generate high-powered explosions from his skin. A piece of his fingernail is capable of destroying a squad of armored fighters, and it is said that one bead of sweat could detonate Manhattan. The second Human Bomb could also channel explosive bursts with his hands, generating huge blast waves that can cover city blocks.

Containment Suit

The second Human Bomb had a containment suit that prevented the destructive nature of their powers. His containment suit was developed by S.H.A.D.E. when the government agency recruited Andy Franklin for Freedom’s Ring.

Other Versions

The Search for Ray Palmer

During the search for Ray Palmer, the heroes discovered a world where genders were switched. In that world, a female version of the second Human Bomb fought as a member of Colombia's Freedom Fighters.